Just devastated :(

I would certainly give her a chance due to her age, and try an Arc Equine, especially if she will be on box rest. I've had some very good healing using it both on myself and on different horses. Fingers crossed she comes right.
 
I would certainly give her a chance due to her age, and try an Arc Equine, especially if she will be on box rest. I've had some very good healing using it both on myself and on different horses. Fingers crossed she comes right.

Good shout on the Arc Equine. My poor vet is probably fed up of all my questions but I've asked if he thinks it's worthwhile. I'm trying desperately not to get my hopes up too much in case it does turn out to be ESPA but at this stage I'm determined to throw everything at the situation to make her right, unless it's detrimental to her of course.
 
Nothing at all useful to contribute, just wanted to say how sorry I am. Watched your horse search with interest, and she seems like a really lovely horse. Everything crossed for you both x
 
Nothing at all useful to contribute, just wanted to say how sorry I am. Watched your horse search with interest, and she seems like a really lovely horse. Everything crossed for you both x

Thanks Micropony. It's just plain bad luck, but I'm determined to do all I can for her x
 
Oh FF! How awful.
I'm crossing my fingers that she'll come sound and the conformation problem is not causing the injury. I'd also give her a chance due to her age.

How horribly frustrating about the LOU not being on the policy yet and that there was a hidden conformation problem that no one could forsee.

:(
 
I've had a few days to let it all sink in now, and whilst I'm still gutted by it all we won't be going down without a fight.

I'll admit now I'm probably writing this post more for my own sake, as a reminder on tougher days that we have a plan, but also in case I've missed something or anyone else has any thoughts or suggestions.

So the current plan of action is to rescan next week and also take the nuchal ligament biopsy to rule out ESPA. Then keep fingers firmly crossed it isn't ESPA. I have no idea how long it'll take to get the biopsy results back but hopefully not too long as right now ESPA has become our worst case scenario. I've also ordered the Newmarket joint supplement so as soon as this arrives we'll be adding to her feed.

At our rescan I'll also be asking about her feet and whether we need to consider BF or heartbar shoes to support her heels. Depending on scan results I suspect we'll then be off to Liphook for a second opinion and to ascertain whether surgery is an option.

I have access to pulsed magnet boots so once my vet and physio agree the time is right we will begin using these in an attempt to help speed up the healing process.

What happens after that is anyone's guess right now but until Poppy makes it clear she's had enough I will be doing all I can to get her sound and pain-free.
 
I'm really sorry to read about your Poppy, but I'm glad you have a plan and are going to try your best for her.

I think the old saying blood,sweat and tears really relate to horse ownership, or my new favorite 'I've got 99 problems and.. My horse is the root cause of all of them'.

If it's at all comforting I've got 5 and all have had to have some sort of veterinary intervention at some point over the last year. It's cost thousands, caused many tears, periods of depression where all I want to do is snuggle up in bed, not go and meet a vet or change a dressing or force feed medication. This weeks new case is my 5yo who I've had since 11months has sarcoids, very small, but still another kick in the gut and just another mountain to climb and bit of a dampener on what I hoped was/ can still be a prosperous competitive life together.

The best cure I found when I got low during this past year was writing it down, sometimes I come on here write a new thread but never post it at all, but just writing and organising thoughts is a really useful tactic to lessen the blues...


Sorry not a constructive post but you do have my deepest sympathies!
 
Oh FF! How awful.
I'm crossing my fingers that she'll come sound and the conformation problem is not causing the injury. I'd also give her a chance due to her age.

How horribly frustrating about the LOU not being on the policy yet and that there was a hidden conformation problem that no one could forsee.

:(

Thanks Kylara. I feel strangely reassured on the LOU front at the moment as insurers confirmed on Friday even if we had had it she currently wouldn't qualify as they only take into account their current ability not future potential and at this stage there is a possibility with surgery she may be capable of being a happy hacker. Of course if she does have ESPA that goes out the window as at the very least she will need to be retired from ridden work, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Conformation wise it's annoying as we knew her heels were low and she had slightly long toes but put this down to her being turned away over winter and having never had shoes. I'm still hopeful there's something we can do to relieve the pressure in her tendons though, either by supporting the heel or removing shoes completely and that maybe once we can strengthen her feet we might lessen the chance of this happening again.

At the moment I'm clutching at any straws and relying on a hell of a lot of positive thinking and Poppy snuggles to keep me going.
 
I'm really sorry to read about your Poppy, but I'm glad you have a plan and are going to try your best for her.

I think the old saying blood,sweat and tears really relate to horse ownership, or my new favorite 'I've got 99 problems and.. My horse is the root cause of all of them'.

If it's at all comforting I've got 5 and all have had to have some sort of veterinary intervention at some point over the last year. It's cost thousands, caused many tears, periods of depression where all I want to do is snuggle up in bed, not go and meet a vet or change a dressing or force feed medication. This weeks new case is my 5yo who I've had since 11months has sarcoids, very small, but still another kick in the gut and just another mountain to climb and bit of a dampener on what I hoped was/ can still be a prosperous competitive life together.

The best cure I found when I got low during this past year was writing it down, sometimes I come on here write a new thread but never post it at all, but just writing and organising thoughts is a really useful tactic to lessen the blues...


Sorry not a constructive post but you do have my deepest sympathies!

Thanks so much. I completely agree on the writing things down front. I suspect by the end of this you'll all be sick of me but I do find it useful to post my thoughts on here as often someone will see something you've missed or have insight you might not have known about. Plus it's a great comfort to know there's a bunch of people rooting for you.

So sorry to hear about your 5yo. Here's hoping the sarcoid will be easy to treat.
 
So sorry to hear this as you and I were horse hunting at the same time. It's so difficult when things go wrong when you do everything right. I had a similar experience with my last horse bought 15 yrs ago and although we never got to do what I bought her for I truly am glad she is mine. I will keep everything crossed for promising news. Sometimes when life doesn't go to plan we need time to get our head round it and regroup and make new plans which it sounds like you're doing. X
 
I've had a few days to let it all sink in now, and whilst I'm still gutted by it all we won't be going down without a fight.

I'll admit now I'm probably writing this post more for my own sake, as a reminder on tougher days that we have a plan, but also in case I've missed something or anyone else has any thoughts or suggestions.

So the current plan of action is to rescan next week and also take the nuchal ligament biopsy to rule out ESPA. Then keep fingers firmly crossed it isn't ESPA. I have no idea how long it'll take to get the biopsy results back but hopefully not too long as right now ESPA has become our worst case scenario. I've also ordered the Newmarket joint supplement so as soon as this arrives we'll be adding to her feed.

At our rescan I'll also be asking about her feet and whether we need to consider BF or heartbar shoes to support her heels. Depending on scan results I suspect we'll then be off to Liphook for a second opinion and to ascertain whether surgery is an option.

I have access to pulsed magnet boots so once my vet and physio agree the time is right we will begin using these in an attempt to help speed up the healing process.

What happens after that is anyone's guess right now but until Poppy makes it clear she's had enough I will be doing all I can to get her sound and pain-free.

For heavens sake, don't go heart bar. Check out Epona shoes if you don't want to go BF. You need something that will give flexion to the foot and help a good blood flow. The epona shoes are available over here from several agents, and can be nailed on or glued. My mare's feet have benefited so much after a year in them and the only reason that I have gone back to conventional shoes is that the studholes on the epona's used to come out, and we needed the grip at Novice and OI level. They don't work out expensive, as you can reuse then 2 or 3 times, and my mare never lost a shoe xc either.
 
For heavens sake, don't go heart bar. Check out Epona shoes if you don't want to go BF. You need something that will give flexion to the foot and help a good blood flow. The epona shoes are available over here from several agents, and can be nailed on or glued. My mare's feet have benefited so much after a year in them and the only reason that I have gone back to conventional shoes is that the studholes on the epona's used to come out, and we needed the grip at Novice and OI level. They don't work out expensive, as you can reuse then 2 or 3 times, and my mare never lost a shoe xc either.

I honestly have no preference, if BF is best for her that's what I'll do. I just want her to be comfortable and happy. Will take a look at Epona shoes now.
 
I have followed your horse hunting posts over the past couple of months, but not often posted. I really hope it's a positive outcome for your lovely mare. Take your time, do as much research as you can before deciding on what route you want to go down and be prepared for many many "knowledgeable" people who will disagree with your choices :p. All the best.
 
I have followed your horse hunting posts over the past couple of months, but not often posted. I really hope it's a positive outcome for your lovely mare. Take your time, do as much research as you can before deciding on what route you want to go down and be prepared for many many "knowledgeable" people who will disagree with your choices :p. All the best.

Haha I think I've already encountered a few of those, some being friends! Fortunately I have a great team of experts at my disposal whom I feel comfortable putting my trust in, as no amount of reading up will ever compare to their first hand experience.
 
I'm so sorry this read this! :( I followed your horse hunting journey and was so excited to read you had found the horse of your dreams. What a lucky mare to have found such a caring, kind and committed owner. I have my fingers crossed for you both! Again I am so very sorry and I wish you the very best x
 
I'm so sorry this read this! :( I followed your horse hunting journey and was so excited to read you had found the horse of your dreams. What a lucky mare to have found such a caring, kind and committed owner. I have my fingers crossed for you both! Again I am so very sorry and I wish you the very best x

Thanks so much. I've honestly been overwhelmed by the kindness of those both on and offline. She means the world to me and is the sweetest, most genuine little mare I've ever met, despite having only owned her a very short while she owes me nothing.

OH has just suggested that perhaps Poppy wants us to have a little Poppy whilst we wait for her to get better...when I explained I couldn't possibly consider putting her in foal whilst we don't know what's caused the breakdown of her tendons, he just looked at me and said "no...WE should have a little Poppy whilst she's out of action". That's one way of passing the time whilst she's on box rest I guess lol
 
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Haha...hubby sounds like he's on a mission :D

I really really hope Poppy comes good...you sound as though you have both bonded beautifully. Good horses aren't always the easy ones are they? X
 
Haha...hubby sounds like he's on a mission :D

I really really hope Poppy comes good...you sound as though you have both bonded beautifully. Good horses aren't always the easy ones are they? X

Haha I think he's just trying to stop me getting a second horse whilst we fix Pops!

Thanks so much. Everyone at our yard has said our bond is clear and that they're not surprised I've decided to do everything I can to try to fix her. Although after 4 days in she's become a bit of a madam! On the plus side I now know she REALLY likes apples, although my finger is showing the war wounds of just how much she likes them...totally my fault for thinking it was cute that she was sucking my hand.

Vet called last night to say he was passing by yesterday so stopped by to see Poppy. Pressure bandage is now off and the cortisone injection has brought the swelling down so at least that's a positive. Now cold hosing and stable bandages until our next scan on Thurs. He's also talking to the chap who led the stem cell research in the UK (was on car bluetooth so didn't catch the name) so fingers crossed she's a candidate for it. A little scared as vet has said he'd like to discuss next steps with me on Thurs...I know that's a totally normal scenario but I'm terrified he's going to tell me I'm deluded for thinking I can fix her but positive thinking is all I really have right now.
 
Sorry to read this :-( what a nightmare situation for you. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Poppy! And will be following this thread! Toes crossed as well that things aren't as bad as feared and with time she will be ok. Worrying time for you and you have my sympathy!
 
Sorry to read this :-( what a nightmare situation for you. I am keeping my fingers crossed for Poppy! And will be following this thread! Toes crossed as well that things aren't as bad as feared and with time she will be ok. Worrying time for you and you have my sympathy!

Thanks BB! It's so hard as outwardly she seems like her usual happy self so it's easy to forget how bad her injury is.
 
What a devastating thing to happen, so sorry for you and Pops, keeping everything crossed that it's not the worst case scenario and something can be done.
 
What a devastating thing to happen, so sorry for you and Pops, keeping everything crossed that it's not the worst case scenario and something can be done.

Thanks MrsNorris. I don't think I've ever wished so hard for anything. Thursday can't come soon enough!
 
Well this is a good thing! I don't know if I would have continued with Bilbo when he had bracken poisoning if he wasn't acting his usual self! Not the same situation as you and Poppy at all of course, but I felt that if he lost his personality I would have really begun to question if I was doing the right thing continuing treatment and would have started to look at PTS. It was heart-breaking some days as he didn't seem to be getting better (very unsteady on his feet, like a drunkard) but he would be stuffing his face and happy to see me and otherwise totally himself.

Still hoping for a less serious outcome for Pops!!
 
Well this is a good thing! I don't know if I would have continued with Bilbo when he had bracken poisoning if he wasn't acting his usual self! Not the same situation as you and Poppy at all of course, but I felt that if he lost his personality I would have really begun to question if I was doing the right thing continuing treatment and would have started to look at PTS. It was heart-breaking some days as he didn't seem to be getting better (very unsteady on his feet, like a drunkard) but he would be stuffing his face and happy to see me and otherwise totally himself.

Still hoping for a less serious outcome for Pops!!

I'm secretly hoping we'll scan and it'll just be a big mistake but deep down I know that that's not going to happen. But I know what you mean about them being themselves. I definitely wouldn't continue if Pops lost her sparkle. It's just hard to keep her entertained. Yesterday we filled a bucket with grass and it was like all her Christmases had come at once. Tonight I'll be hiding carrots in her gay bar again to keep her busy.
 
Oh FF I've only just spotted this thread. I followed your shopping journey from Dexter to Elvis and then to Poppy. I was so pleased for you when you found her. I'm so sorry you're facing this. Got everything crossed that she's fixable for you. Hugs.
 
Oh FF I've only just spotted this thread. I followed your shopping journey from Dexter to Elvis and then to Poppy. I was so pleased for you when you found her. I'm so sorry you're facing this. Got everything crossed that she's fixable for you. Hugs.

Thanks Annagain. It's beggars belief that after all the heartache of Elvis this has now happened, but I'm figuring that everything happens for a reason and that there has to be a silver lining in there somewhere (I'm beginning to feel like I've swallowed the Little Book of Positivity!). It's funny though, despite all the heartache I wouldn't change buying her for a second...even if she has become a bit of a terrible toddler in the last few days!
 
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